The Deputy Commissioner has denied the application referring Karnataka Cinema (Regulation) Act and Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Rules under which films can only be screened in theatres or multiplexes with requisite approval and not in hotels, the officials said.

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and Karnataka State Exhibitors Association had protested the idea and application to screening Kabali in five-star hotels and even petitioned the Deputy Commissioner and Commercial Tax Department on the matter.

KFCC had reported that the five-star release move was unlawful and the Central Board of Film Certification issues a certificate for release in theatres only and not in any of the hotels.

The Distributors of the movie had planned to screen movies from Friday to Sunday in hotels like JW Marriott, Lalit Ashok, Royal Orchid and Crowne Plaza in the city. But forget that it is illegal to do so and the request is opposed.

The tickets with price ranging from Rs 1,300 to 1,500 that included redeemable coupon were stocked out within no time but the plans, said to be a replication of the idea in the West, have now been put paid to with the denial.

The money collected through the plan would be refunded soon, the hotels said.